Cote Ouest, a distributor of content for and from Africa, will take a collection of more than 1000 hours of exciting new programs to DISCOP Africa 2014. The Cote Ouest senior team will also be participating in five panel sessions and workshops discussing current trends and developments impacting on the continent’s media industry during the market.
Bernard Azria, chairman and CEO, Cote Ouest Audiovisuel, says: “The switchover to digital will be the most significant revolution in broadcasting Africa has ever experienced. It is estimated that 80% of Francophone population will live in Africa by 2050, therefore how can the industry prepare for a greater demand for content? During our French Speaking Africa Rising session we will address this question and aim to discuss how the industry can ensure a seamless transition to digital and generate quality content. We are also proud to present a dynamic catalogue of programming at DISCOP that we believe showcases the best of African content.’
Headlining Cote Ouest’s slate of programming at DISCOP Africa is Adam’s Apples (series 1, 10×90′ and series 2, 6×45′) a Ghanaian TV series produced by the multiple award-winning Sparrow Productions. Set in the hustle and bustle of the city of Accra, the series follow four dynamic twenty-first century Ghanaian women as they work through various personal trials and tribulations and discover that life is far from easy. Season 1 has been recently dubbed in French by Cote Ouest, and is now available in English and French. Following the success of the first season, the producer has produced an exciting Season 2, following the new adventure of the Adams family.
Acclaimed by critics, Rush (Series 1 and Series 2 13×25′) tells the engaging and inspiring story of Nana, and her magazine, Rush. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey, Nana wants to empower other Africans to lead successful lives. Will she be able to become Kenya’s answer to the American media mogul? Rush is centred on female empowerment and gender equality of African women. Rush has been dubbed by Cote Ouest in French and is now available for French speaking channels.
Njinga Rainha De Angola (1×109′) is a unique and original feature film about Njinga, a 17th century Queen and warrior, who fights for the independence of Angola. After witnessing the murder of her son and watching her community be humiliated by Portuguese colonisers, Njinga strives to become a Queen and liberate her people. Njinga Rainha De Angola is a moving story that takes us into the history of Angola, as it has never been told before.
Kiara (12×26′) tells the story of a 22-year-old orphan who lives with her aunty Babette, the sister of her dead mother. The pair live in disharmony and ultimately; Kiara is forced to run away from home. But Kiara, as she confronts the harsh reality of living on the street, will keep on cultivating determination and perseverance.
Cote Ouest Ouest Audiovisuel general manager, French Speaking Africa, Leticia N’cho Traore , will host the French Speaking Africa Rising panel which will see a host of French-speaking African industry players, ranging from the producer to distributor, express their views on a growing number of opportunities arising from the switchover to digital and coproduction predominately in French-speaking African countries.
Panellists for this session are:
– François Deplanck, head of content and channel, CANAL+ OVERSEAS
– Christoph Limmer, director commercial development broadcasting and video, Eutelsat
– Ahmadou Bakayoko, general manager, RTI
– Sebastien Crozier, general manager Orange Horizons
– Takis Candilis, director of programming, Lagardere Entertainment
– Alain Modot, CEO, DIFFA
– Ismaela Sidibe, CEO, AFRICABLE
